Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2018 season this week, hosting a tri-match Tuesday afternoon, taking on Winston-Salem State and Belmont Abbey. Wingate will look to continue an impressive stretch that has seen the 'Dogs pile up 21 SAC titles since 2006, with 11 regular season championships and 10 tournament titles. Wingate has also collected four region titles, while 2017 marked the seventh appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16 over the past nine years. The 'Dogs have compiled a 345-33 record since the start of the 2007 season. Wingate was 27-4 last season, going 18-2 in league play and advancing to the NCAA Southeast Region championship match.

The Bulldogs have won 345 of their last 378 matches, good for a .913 winning percentage. Wingate is 296-20 in the regular season over that span and 30-2 in the SAC Tournament. The Bulldogs are 197-11 in SAC matches since the 2007 season, going undefeated in league play six of the past 11 years. After having a league-record 83-match winning streak snapped early in the 2012 season, the 'Dogs reeled off 55 consecutive conference wins, the second longest streak in league history. Wingate led the nation in winning percentage in 2007, 2010 and 2011, ranking third in 2008, 2009 and 2014, fourth in 2012, seventh in 2013 and ninth in 2017.

The Bulldogs made their league-record 13th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. Wingate is the only team in SAC history to earn an AVCA top 25 ranking. The 'Dogs were ranked as high as seventh during the 2014 season, the highest ranking in program history. Wingate was included in three top 25 polls in 2016 and three more in 2017. After earning their first ranking in 2009, the Bulldogs have been a part of 61 top 25 polls over the past nine seasons, cracking the top 25 each year.

"We have a solid mix of experienced veterans, along with some talented younger players, which is allowing us to have great optimism as we head into this season," head coach Shelton Collier says. "Our players are motivated, we have a good vibe in the gym and we have the potential to develop into a team that can accomplish some great things this year."

Outside Hitters

The outside hitter position will be anchored by a pair of seniors looking to step into a starting role after serving as key reserves the last three seasons. With the departure of SAC Player of the Year and AVCA second team All-American Katie Bludau, Wingate will turn to seniors Hannah Givens and Taylor Williams. Givens has collected 97 kills during her Bulldog career, averaging 1.22 kills per set during her junior season. Williams has collected 175 kills in her career, registering 122 kills in 2016 when she stepped into the middle blocker position.

"Hannah and Taylor have been part-time starters for three seasons and now it is their time to step up as leaders and starters at the very important outside hitter position," Collier says. "They have earned these responsibilities and our players have confidence in them. Both played well as starters last spring season, and both came in ready to play in August."

Also looking to contribute at the outside hitter position are freshmen Molly Lambillotte and Reese Blackley. Lambillotte was an AAU All-American in 2016, while Blackley was the three-time county Player of the Year at Alexander High School in Georgia. "Molly and Reese have both shown that they can contribute as outside hitters, and we will certainly be creating opportunities for them to develop over the course of the season," Collier says.

Right-Side Hitters

The right-side hitter position will be anchored by sophomore Anne Abernathy, who earned a spot on the All-SAC Freshman Team in 2017. She finished the season with 1.71 kills per set, adding 80 digs and 33 blocks. "Anne had a solid freshman season and now as a sophomore, she will be an even more significant factor in our offense this year," Collier says.

Junior setter Rachel Alles also saw some time as a right-side hitter and may be used there again in 2018. She totaled 96 kills during her sophomore season with a .223 hitting percentage. Also adding depth at the right-side hitter position will be senior Dunja Sobot and junior Hanna Knaley. In her first season at Wingate in 2017, Sobot registered 10 kills with a .292 hitting percentage. Knaley collected eight kills, 11 digs and 2 aces during her sophomore season at Wingate.

Middle Hitters

The middle hitter position is a big strength for the Bulldogs, anchored by 2017 third team AVCA All-American Anna Holmquist. The senior led the SAC and ranked fifth nationally with her .406 hitting percentage last year, the best in Wingate history and second-best in league history. Holmquist averaged 2.85 kills and 0.99 blocks per set in 2017. All-SAC selection Phoebe Havenaar hit .326 in her junior season with 2.72 kills and 0.60 blocks per set, ranking fourth in the SAC in hitting percentage. Junior Lynnlee Mather hit .293 while contributing 1.91 kills and 1.00 blocks per set, ranking fifth in the conference in hitting percentage and blocks. Sophomore Sophie Schaff will red-shirt this season after registering 1.67 kills and a team-best 1.17 blocks per set as a freshman, hitting .238.

"We are fortunate to have three established middle hitters who have all played at a high level here and have the experience and talent to once again be top middle hitters this season," Collier says. "We will be relying on them for strong play at the net in addition to their leadership."

Setter

Alles earned All-SAC and All-Region honors during her sophomore season and is a preseason first team all-conference honoree. The junior was third in the league with 10.55 assists per set, adding 2.97 digs, 1.01 kills and 0.54 blocks per set while running a Wingate offense that led the league and ranked in the top 10 nationally in kills per set, assists per set and hitting percentage. "Rachel has taken some significant steps over the last couple years, with her setting, her leadership and her influence," Collier says. "Our team is comfortable with her running our team this season. She is talented, creative and skilled and will be a key factor as our setter this season."

Also seeing time at the setter position will be freshman Shannon Kasprak. She missed her senior year of high school recovering from knee surgery, but was an all-district honor and key part of her club team that was a national qualifier.

Defensive Specialists

The Bulldogs will once again put out a strong defense, led by two-time All-SAC libero Kori Adams. The redshirt senior has over 1300 digs in her career. She is joined by senior Kim Hovey, junior Treslyn Ortiz and freshman Kasey Eastland. Hovey and Ortiz have both served as Wingate's libero earlier in their career and each collected over 150 digs last season, while Eastland will also see key time in her first year as a Bulldog.

"Kori is one of the most skilled all-around players we have ever had at Wingate and she is among the most passionate and influential leaders to have played here as well," Collier says. "As a fifth year senior, we are excited about her returning to play one more season as our captain. Kim and Treslyn are both experienced defensive specialists, and both will play key roles. Kasey has made an immediate impact on our team with her skills and her competitive personality and she will certainly play a key role as a starter as freshman."

Wingate gets the season started with five matches this week, starting Tuesday with a tri-match. The Bulldogs will host Winston-Salem State at 3 p.m. in Cuddy Arena, then take on Belmont Abbey at 7 p.m. on ESPN3. The 'Dogs are in Charlotte this weekend for the Queens Fall Classic to take on WSSU, Converse and Augusta. After another tri-match next week, the 'Dogs open league play Friday, Sept. 7 at Queens. The first home SAC match is Friday Sept. 14 against Lenoir-Rhyne.